36. Visiting Campuses

Welcome, prospective students. I’m here to show you a very superficial version of what your life could be like for the next four years because I need the money.

—Anonymous tour guide, CollegeHumor.com

One of the best ways to know whether a college or university is going to be a comfortable fit is to visit it. Of course, there are plenty of other reasons to spend time on a campus. Visits are also a good way to help judge whether a school is worth its price tag. What’s more, some schools bestow an admissions advantage on students who take the time to tour their campuses and talk with admissions officers. Before touring any college campuses, here are some things to keep in mind:

Think about timing. Sure, visiting colleges ...

Get The College Solution: A Guide for Everyone Looking for the Right School at the Right Price now with the O’Reilly learning platform.

O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.